Anthony Seibold lashes out over South Sydney move ahead of Las Vegas NRL opener
The Manly coach isn't impressed with the opposition heading into the first round.
Manly coach Anthony Seibold has taken a jab at the Rabbitohs and accused them of failing to promote the NRL ahead of their round one clash in the US. The Rabbitohs left for the US on Tuesday to set-up their base in San Diego ahead of their showdown with Manly in Las Vegas on 3 March.
The Sea Eagles have opted to base themselves in Las Vegas and flew out on Wednesday. And Seibold took the opportunity to take a crack at Jason Demetriou and the Rabbitohs after he accused them of failing to promote the game in the US.
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"It would be nice if the Bunnies came and promoted the game in Las Vegas," Seibold said. "One of the reasons why we're going there 11 days beforehand is to promote the game. We're doing our job, all our training sessions are open sessions."
Seibold's comments come after a long-running rivaly between the two. In 2019, Demetriou took aim at Seibold's NRL finals record. This week, the Rabbitohs coach took the first dig when he joked he would pay for Manly's bar tab to enjoy themselves ahead of their Las Vegas clash.
Manly are the only team based in Las Vegas with the Roosters and Brisbane based in Los Angeles. And Seibold was ready to defend his team's decision and claimed Manly were doing more for the game of rugby league in the US, than the other teams.
"Every team has their own way to prepare, but we feel obligated and obliged to promote the game in Las Vegas - where the game is being played," Seibold said. "There have been some comments from others, but that's OK.
"We know what we need to do to minimise those distractions. We've got a fantastic group of adults in our squad and there's a lot of trust. We want to promote the game and be visible in Vegas."
Anthony Seibold preparing for smaller Las Vegas field
One of the big tactical talking points ahead of the historic two games in the US is the slightly smaller fields used at Allegiant Stadium. The field will be 63 metres wide, smaller than the NRL's regulation of a 68 metre field.
Teams have already mentioned the importance of their kicking game ahead of the showdown and Seibold said Manly are ready to alter their tactics. "You want to play really direct," Seibold said.
"Souths have had an opportunity to train on a small field and so have we. Both coaching groups and senior players will have come up with some tactics that might change (for Vegas)."
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